Just below this posting is a nice tribute written by FossilMedic telling us of the unfortunate passing of a good man and terrific firefighter, Chief Clark Martin. Most of you have never heard of him, but that’s because he didn’t pursue projects on a national scale that would bring his name before all the other fire and rescue departments. But for those who knew and worked with Clark, he was the epitome of success and achievement in the department level and was a man who was truly liked by everybody who had any dealings with him, or even near to him.
I first met Clark when he was initially hired on to the department. For a good many years, I was the instructor for pumps and hydraulics, a 4-day class which was part of the recruit training in the fire academy. In that role I met virtually everybody who came through the doors for a long time and Clark was one of them.
But I first got to really know him when I was transferred to dispatch for nearly a year. I was a Captain-I at the time and was put in charge of a shift that had Clark second in command as a Lieutenant. We had the same philosophy about work, namely that we both started every day with the thought that “we are going to have a good time today.”
Not long after I got promoted out of there, he began his fast-track up the ladder and the next time we worked together he was my superior. FossilMedic recounts his success in the fire and rescue service, so I don’t need to go over that. But what I want to point out is his determined and courageous fight against old Demon Cancer.
When he was first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, you could hear a collective “Oh, no!!” arising from the east coast. Such a good man, and a young man still in his 50′s (I don’t know his exact age) stricken with what is just about always a rapid decline and certain death.
But Clark was having none of that. He aggressively challenged the demon and sought out the best and most advanced treatment that was currently offered. After a visit to the Mayo Clinic, they proposed a new and extensive treatment program and Clark was anxious to get going with it. It involved a lot of painful travel, mainly to Miami, and a steady dose of debilitating treatments. But after a while he actually reached a point where the spread had been stopped and most of the cancerous cells were killed off. It looked for a while that he was going to beat it. Unheard of.
But it was not to be. The broken body just couldn’t hold up to it any longer and the ugly stuff came back. But it was not all for naught. His courage and willingness to submit to these new treatments will go a long ways to refine them and help improve treatment for this terrible disease. Cancer is always hovering over firefighters, more so than almost any other identity group in the country. And Clark’s contribution to the research and treatment of it will be a direct benefit to all of you. You just won’t see it. But now you know it.
Now let’s get this equipment checked out, including your SCBA. I’ll go start the coffee.
